Drew Lachey's 'DWTS' Whining Sounds Like Sour Grapes

The things that surprise me about Dancing With the Stars are 1) how it remains such a popular show (this is, what, the fifteenth season? FIFTEEN SEASONS of lukewarm paso dobles, and Firefly got canned after 11 episodes, for crying out loud), and 2) the way the celebrities who get kicked off the competition always seem so upset about it. I mean, legitimately shocked and upset, despite the fact that they're celebrities -- albeit of the B-list variety -- who presumably have other things to do than mope around bemoaning their missed shot at a disco-ball trophy.

Drew Lachey, who was eliminated from the show on Tuesday, is just as surprised and unhappy as previous celebrities who got the boot -- only he sounds even whinier and more bitter than the norm. According to his post-show statement, he went home TOO EARLY, you guys, and it's all just A LITTLE ODD.

Someone notify Woodward and Bernstein, because Lachey may be on to a DWTS conspiracy ... one that goes all the way to the top.

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Maybe it's because Lachey's career seems to revolve around silly reality shows these days (before DWTS, his recent claim to fame was winning the celebrity edition of HGTV's Battle of the Bonus Room), maybe it's because he fancies himself as a "real" dancer as compared to all those wannabe hoofer celebs, but Lachey's downright ticked about getting sent packing during this week's double elimination episode:

It really sucks! I take pride in being a performer, and to me it's ironic that the two Broadway performers -- me and Joey [Fatone] -- are gone already. It's a little odd to me. Do I think we're going home too early? Absolutely. I don't think there's anybody in this ballroom who would disagree with that [and] I don't think I'm speaking out of turn by saying that. Helio's going home too early as well.

Poor Drew. He's just the latest grumpy-pants performer to imply that the show is totally rigged, and whether or not it's true, the sad reality is that no one really cares. Talent competitions rely on drama and twists ... because god knows no one's actually tuning in for the talent. I mean, why else would Bristol freaking Palin still be on the show?

After his sour-grapes outburst, Lachey must have reclaimed his PR game face -- because he went on to gush about how he actually loves the show format (and he should totally be invited back someday, hint hint):

We knew what we were getting into when we signed up for it. That's part of why we love this show, the unpredictability! (...) It's what we love about the show: You put yourself out there and you expose yourself to a scenario that is unknown.

Ha. "It sucks! Uhhhh, I mean, it's the best." Welcome to reality television, Drew, where it's less about dancing and more about entertainment. Go drum up some controversy in your personal life, and maybe you'll be kept around for an extra show or two.

Do you think Drew Lachey has the right to complain about getting kicked off DWTS?